Boxer remains behind bars
World champ from Toowoomba has number of charges dropped
WBO and IBF international light-heavyweight champion Damien Hooper had 10 of his most serious charges dropped yesterday, but will remain behind bars for his next title fight.
The Toowoomba fighter was originally charged with having allegedly gagged a woman, burnt her with a cigarette, pushed her from a moving car and choked her over two days in Toowoomba last November.
A Justice’s warrant was issued for the complainant to give testimony last week, but as a result of her non-appearance yesterday, police have officially dropped those charges.
The charges police have dropped included deprivation of liberty and assault occasioning bodily harm.
She had not given evidence in the seven months since the incident, police said last week.
Police prosecutor Acting Sergeant Julia Wheaton told the court how officers had searched nine properties in the Toowoomba region in a bid to bring the woman before a Magistrate to give evidence on Thursday morning.
Acting Sergeant Wheaton said police had not been able to make contact with the woman, despite numerous attempts having been made since the warrant was issued last week.
Hooper is also facing a string of unrelated charges including 21 breaches of bail for allegedly punching a police officer outside of the Blue Mountain Hotel in May, among other offences.
His solicitor Brad Skuse sought a month-long adjournment so he could take instructions from Hooper, and so that CCTV footage relating to some of the alleged offending could be obtained.
On those matters, he was remanded in custody by Acting Magistrate Roger Stark to reappear back in the same court on July 12.
Hooper was scheduled to defend his world titles in Sydney on July 4, but will now miss the bout as he remains behind bars.
The 26-year-old is currently ranked sixth in the WBO’s light-heavyweight division.